Through the Living Classrooms Program, Cradle Beach
continues to serve Western New York children by providing interdisciplinary,
participant-centered programs in which individuals build upon existing Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge, develop creativity,
and gain critical thinking skills through active learning. We work with
community schools and organizations to strengthen our program, aligning
curriculum with New York State New Generation Science Standards and creating a
fun and authentic learning environment.

With over 60 acres of land and 1,200 feet of lakefront
shoreline, Cradle Beach is a natural location for year-round experiential
out-of-school STEM education. Living Classrooms is offered as a stand-alone
program that schools and community organizations can access and it is also
embedded into our Summer Camp and Project SOAR programs.

Occasionally, we do lead public programs on our campus
and/or at local community centers. Please check our Facebook page for more
information regarding upcoming public programs.

SUMMER CAMP &
PROJECT SOAR

Through collaboration with Buffalo State College, the
Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Partnership (ISEP) at the
University of Buffalo, and the Buffalo Museum of Science, we have developed a
variety of science activities within Cradle Beach Summer Camp to go along with
regular camp programming. Examples of past summer camp activities include:

·Close-up observations of aquatic
macro-invertebrates

·Building electrical circuits to understand
insulators and conductors

·Dropping an egg-holding contraption from a large
height to protect a raw egg

·Making ice cream to understand physical changes

·Making slime to understand polymers

·Creating a Star Chart to use while observing the
constellations at night

Along with Summer Camp, Living Classrooms also works with
the Project SOAR Program to provide science activities during the summer and on
weekend retreats during the school year.

SCHOOL GROUPS

Living Classrooms offers year-round programming to schools
and other community groups that would like STEM concepts exposed to their
students. We are continually adding engaging programs to offer more to schools
and organizations. The following activities are a select few that we have
offered to groups in the past, and may be modified if need be for participants.
For a complete and updated list, please email Intefada Wardia at iwardia@cradlebeach.org.

·Animal Dissection - Students learn about
animal anatomy and function through dissecting an animal specimen. Animal
specimens available must be requested at least 4 weeks prior to program date.
Common specimens include fish, mice, rats, and frogs.

·Building Bridges - Students learn about
economics and budgeting through designing and building one of four types of
bridges to create a miniature model within small groups.

·Crime Scene Investigations - Students practice
being forensic scientists, observing differences in fingerprints and analyzing
fake blood samples to identify who committed a simulated crime. Students may
also have the opportunity to extract their cheek cell DNA.

·Decomposing! - Best for large groups,
students learn about the decomposition process and play an active running
simulation where they are all plants trying to survive in a world where disease
and parasites are after them!

·Marshmallow Catapult - Students work in
small groups to design and construct a catapult that is able to launch a
marshmallow at least six feet.

·Predator-Prey - Best for large groups,
students gain an understanding of predator/prey relationships by participating
in an active running activity that simulates actual predator/prey populations.

·Storm Chasers - Students experience how
weather forms through various running activities, ultimately gaining an
understanding of how people are affected by the weather.

·The Scoop on Fossils - Students learn
about how fossils are formed and what information paleontologists can obtain
from those fossils, creating their own fossils in the process.

·Trees, Seeds, and Leaves - Students learn
about different tree species found on our campus by making a leaf identifying
project after going on a nature hike.

·Volcanoes - Students use world maps to
view features and tectonic plate movement to understand Earth processes, how
Volcanoes may be formed, and build their own volcano.

·What's In Your Sand? - Students closely
observe materials on the beach to understand what sand is actually made up of,
how sand is made, and leave with a small sand bottle.

About us

Quick Links

Programs

Contact us

Cradle Beach - 8038
Old Lakeshore Road
Angola - NY - 14006

Ph: 716-549-6307

Fax 716-549-6825

Nondiscrimination Statement - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/ complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.